Our biggest boy taking the plunge into the next level of swimming lessons. Way to go, Noser! 

Doodle and his buddies on the last night of VBS (LOVE the belly on the right!!!) 

Up close and beautiful! 

The results are in...

... And we have two gift shops in town that are worth the gas to get there. Ok, if you're into knitting there's a neat new yarn and fabric shop, too, so three. This is of the grand total 7 that we went into. I did hear some good news that our cute tea shop in town was sold and won't be closing.

We had a fun day, our last stop being the local farmers market, which was a wonderful experience! There was beautiful produce, in a pretty setting and we ate well, too. We set our weekend agenda by buying a bushel of peaches. We're going to make and freeze some pies and can the rest.

Today is our last day of swimming. In the past, two weeks in a row of running to the pool has gotten very old- this year it just flew by! The boys have done great, and it's been fun to watch. They are both jumping from the board without flotation devices around their waists and their enthusiasm about it is contagious. Oh, speaking of the pool... gotta fly!

Exploring our Home Town

Today I am going to venture out and do something I don't often do. I'm even a bit ashamed to say it, as those who are very pro "shop local" will probably send the hounds out after me. My mother-in-law is coming to visit with her sister and we are going to go to the shops in town. I can honestly say that I haven't done this for a good four years when my mom visited and showed interest in doing the same thing.

Living in the up-north summer-tourist-ridden town that we do, there are quite a few small gift and craft shops around town. Most have a woodsy flair and only a few select ones have been around more than a season or two. It leads to variety- One storefront has changed hands three times since I last took my hometown shop tour.

Now, I shop at the local grocery store, for the sale items, or when I need something specific quickly. I go to the local hardware store when we need one specific thing. I have gone into one or two of the gift shops when I have needed a gift.
(Maybe that's my issue, at this point in life I really am a necessity shopper- for the most part). I love having things close and convenient. But there's a catch- I also love a deal, which draws me to the slightly bigger city to the north more often than not because I'm sure that their bigger stores translate into bigger savings. Is it always true? No. Is my time and fuel to get there outweighing the money I save by shopping there? Maybe.
I'll keep you updated to the results of our "day at the shops."

Here's our doodle at the very end of a long hang on the fireman pole. What a face!!! 

Here's a favorite Noser photo. He bought this buffalo tooth in Teton Village, and Auntie Cori helped him fashion this schnazy necklace. He wanted us to take a photo that made it look as though it were his tooth... I don't know if I could be so brave as to shove that wretched thing in my mouth. ugh... 

Here is a favorite photo from our trip! We were at a fun park- our favorite- right in Jackson. There is a stream running through the park, and as the temp was in the upper 80s and lower 90s, the kids were having a blast running through the stream. Bella got a muddy shirt, thus the topless photo, but the photo is priceless. 

So many prayed and asked about our sweet new neice, Eva Beth. She's here, and beautiful! The Ballowe clan (minus Scott) visited early last week. Here are the cousins, ages 8,7,6,5,4,3 and 2. What a treat to have them in Wisconsin! 

A photo summary of our July...

I'm finally getting around to post some of the 385 photos we shot while we were out west! Here's the month at a glance...





Motel pools are a great place to get the wiggles out before plopping the kids in the van for 10- 14 hours!




The kids were excellent hikers! This trail wasn't far from Jonathan and Cori's new house.



A family night of mini-golf was a blast- Dawson got a hole-in-one! We capped this evening off with Billy's Giant Hamburgers. Nothing says sleeplessness like a 1/2 pound burger before bed.


This was an evening we spent in Teton Village. We looked around, and right before we went in to eat at the Mangy Moose, Dawson fell into the creek and needed an emergency souvenir t-shirt.


This was another great hike we were able to do at Coal Creek. The kids kept us going strong. They didn't want to quit! Mama's so proud of her little hiking clan!


This was another visit to Teton Village. We went to an Indian Art fair and then watched an Indian Dance exhibition. It was beautiful- Notice the white girl out there... that's Cori who was chosen to join in the festivities. She was a very good sport!


We made another visit to the BarT5! One of the last evenings we enjoyed their covered wagon ride up to a chuckwagon dinner and cowboy music show. It's becoming a tradition the kids look forward to!


Of course one of the main reasons that we headed out west was to help Jake's brother and his wife with the building of their house. Here it was the day before we left. They got quite a bit of the roof together. We look forward to our next visit and being able to see the "Taj-ma-Dahl" in its completed state.



Ahhh... here was one of our last views of the Tetons for this summer. I snapped this through the windshield as we headed north into Yellowstone on our way home. What a gorgeous place to visit. I feel so very blessed that we got to spend as much time as we did admiring the beauty of these mountains!

So, there's a month in a nutshell. Lots of family time, Lots of loafing and getting to know our wonderful sister-in-law/aunt(for the kids and I) lots of building and bonding time for Jake and his brother, and lots of time in the arid weather away from Wisconsin's humidity and mosquitoes! It's good to be home, but we will hold fast to the memories we made in our summer out west.

Starting in with a bang, well, splash...

It's August! Which means summer is coming to an end. That's what skipping town for a month does... Make summer seem short. We got back, and launched in unpack/clean up mode (which may take most of this month) and lo and behold started swimming lessons Monday.
It's a whirlwind! Life, I mean. I know that you are as busy as you allow yourself to be, but I look at my life and wonder where to cut back. We wouldn't have to do swimming lessons- I admit that. Upon arriving home, however, I see 200 things that I really need to get to, and I turn into this "Major Mom" instead of the even-keeled woman I aspire to be. There's this closet to reorganize, photos to get in order, clothes to be gone through, a weekend family reunion to prepare for, trim work to paint, a desk I'd like to redo, a crater in our front yard to be seen to... The list goes on and yet I know at my root level I don't believe in cloning, so how will it ever all be accomplished?
One thing at a time, right?
Lord, please help me prioritize, because in the midst of all I see to be done I have three beautiful children that are growing up [without permission :)] before my eyes.

We're home.

We rolled in last night about 11pm. It's really good to be back, but what a great month we had. I'll get to posting photos after we have clean socks and underwear, there is something other than condiments in the fridge, and our van is "Honey- Bunches-of-Oats"-free (I know, I know, What were we thinking?). Can't wait to catch up with you all!

We've had a very enjoyable week! Though we're still waiting on our cards, we've really been enjoying lots of free fun, like a new park we found right here in Victor, drives into Jackson, sightings of buffalo, and a moose and her calf, time spent at a National Fish Hatchery in Jackson, time spent catching inch long fish and tadpoles with our hands in a natural warm springs... all for free! The house is really coming along, with hopes of the roof panels being put on today. Tomorrow is a huge art festival in Jackson, and we are also going to check out Teton Village (up even higher into the Tetons).

The beauty is awesome. To wake up every day in this setting is such a gift. The other night I needed to do a quick run to Idaho Falls for stain, and the entire time was either driving along the gorgeous Snake River or through the Big Hole mountain pass. I had MWS Worship and Worship 2 blasting, no kids along and the beauty nearly brought me to tears. I am so thankful to be here! I can't belive it's already been two weeks!

Hitch in our step

So we were merrily enjoying our week last week, oblivious until Friday that sometime between Monday and Friday Jake's wallet went missing. Could have been stolen, thought no funny activity has happened on either our check or credit card. Thankfully we are staying with his brother and sister-in-law, who are wonderful and very generously offered to just cover us until we can have new cards issued. Thankfully we have a wonderful friend back home who lovingly agreed to send us the cards, as the bank is unable to send them to any other than our home address. (I owe you, MH!!!) So, here we are in Victor, finding wonderful ways to pass the time without a cent to our name!

The house is coming fabulously... Cori and I spent Saturday staining tounge and groove for the ceilings. We are sunburned, but got a lot done. There is much more to stain tonight, so we're planning an "All-out-adult-assault" on the remaining pieces.

Please continue to pray for us all. The kids have had a great day. The weather continues to be gorgeous. We are thankful to be here. We miss you all!

Ahhh...

After being away for the past three days, Jake is "home" with us today, and it is amazing to me what his presence does! Granted, we spent the morning at the park, where the kids ran and played hard, but there has been nary an argument amongst them! It's very humbling to realize that I must bring out their worst...

After the three hour park rendevous, I dropped the family at home and went to the laundromat and read for close to an hour. Then decided to stop by the library for my computer fix... I haven't said a word now for about and hour and a half, and I love it. Does anyone else tire of hearing their own voice? This is sweet silence!

Last night Jake worked until about 7 at the house. The timberframing is really coming along. I wish I could share photos, an will upon our return. The house is huge and beautiful and it's fun to watch the progress. When he got back we went over to Jackson for the evening to mini-golf and have supper. It was a lot of fun... Dawson even got a hole in one! We ate at one of our favorite Jackson venues, (OK, Jake's favorites) "Billy's Giant Burgers." It's something all right, they are giants. My only complaint is that when I leave the place I need a vinyl scraper to remove the grease from my face. Otherwise, it's all good.

I better return home. I have wet clothes in the car and my family is hostage without the vehicle. Jake and I may take a hike tonight... Jake asked Jon and Cori if they'd mind keeping the kids for a while. I've been drooling over a "Great Tetons Trails" book... so many places to go!

(Please ignore my spelling errors as the spell check pop-up window is blocked!)

We're here!

We are in Victor, Idaho! We arrived Sunday night after three days in the car, which I must say went incredibly well!!! The drive through Canada was nice, but not worth repeating, we decided. It was fun to drive the kids through another country, and fun to see all the different brands of stores and the like. Figuring out the exchange rate, and kms vs. miles was fun, though I think we needed to be further north to see the beauty of the Canadian Rockies. We enjoyed two nights in hotels, with swimming pools and waterslides. Crazy story- the first night we stayed just south of Winnepeg and met a faimly with a Noah, and Two older boys, then a baby girl whoose birthday was also on Valentine's day... anyway, we swam with them and chatted, then, after driving for 13 1/2 hours and not finding a hotel in two different towns we intended to stop in, we made a late night check-in to a hotel in Medicine Hat, Alberta, and saw the same family at the same hotel the next morning! Crazy!

We've had fun thus far... Jon and Cori and renting a really nice house here in Victor (just through the Teton pass into Idaho from Jackson) while they build their house about a mile away. We have a bedroom and the kids have one right next door. We went to the fireworks in Driggs, right up the road to the north and are celebrating Jonathan's birthday tonight. Jake has been helping with the house the last couple days, and the kids and I have had fun hanging out at the laundromat, and today the library. We took a beautiful hike yesterday, and have enjoyed playing with the puppy, Java.

We miss you all and will check our e-mail and blogs every few days. Until then, Molly

He's home, so we're off!

I got Noah yesterday! Doodle and Bella stayed home with a chain-saw wielding daddy(Hmm... That doesn't sound so good). Noah had a blast, as many of you assured me he would. However, of the four neatly folded outfits, only one was used. He also did not shower or swim, and (sit down for this one) said, "I didn't brush my teeth, either, cause I don't think you packed toothpaste." Had heopened the suitcase, he may have found it, but don't worry, "I only bought one thing from the canteen, cause I don't like that 'sugary' feeling on my teeth."

So, we're off today. The trees are still not completely picked up, but a good friend said he would take over the job. Pray for our safety and sanity... We are headed up through Winnipeg, Regina and Lethbridge, Canada, then down through Montana to Jackson/Victor (That is if the Canadians are still letting 'crazies' in.). We'll be on from time to time to update you... Until then...All our love! JMNDE

New Landscaping

The good news?
We have a great start for next fall in the firewood department.
My husband loves his chainsaw and adores running it.
We got to see first hand God's awesome power.
We are all safe and sound.

The bad news?
Our vacation may be a bit delayed.

Still the one...  

These two hooligans have been getting along famously in their brother's absence. 

Our big guy... Can't wait to hear how your week is going at camp, buddy! I'll be there tomorrow! 

Not quite getting it...

Our Doodle is such a fun kid. He's full of life, and cuddles. He does, however have his moments where he just doesn't quite "get it."

This morning Jaker dropped him off for his summer school T-ball class, and I came to pick him up at the end. When he got in the van he asked, "Did you go yet?"

I questioned, "Go where?"

He said, "To Uncle Jonathan's."

Now, our house is in a chaotic state as we are about to travel halfway across the country for a month with three children in a mini-van WITH a top carrier- neither of which are packed (as we were sitting IN the above mentioned vehicle) and he wants to know if we "quick" ran out there during his hour and a half long class, with his brother across the state at camp.
"No, honey, we didn't."

In mama's footsteps

Our little boy is at camp tonight, four hours away from home. I went, too, when I was seven and loved every minute of it. I didn't realize then how hard it is for the mama at home- knowing that if their child needs them right this very moment... It would be four hours before I could be there. I don't think it would be as hard if he had a friend with him, or had made one before we left, but 'twas not the case. It seemed harder for him than usual, or than I thought it would be. Often he has a new buddy after a visit to the park or beach. His counselor did take him under his wing and they were headed out for a paddleboat ride when we left. I let Jake give the very final hug and "Have fun." I didn't want him to see his mama's tears.

He'll be fine...I'm sure. There's just not much sadder to me than a lonely heart.

This and That in June

I never posted the photos I promised you! The trim work we started is complete, well, at least we are stopping for now. There will be more to do upon our arrival home from the west. For those who don't know, we are loading up the troops and headed west at the end of the week. We hope to be gone a good part of July. Our aim is to help Uncle and Auntie (see recent wedding photo) build their house- at least it is Jake's goal. Mine is to hike daily and prevent the children from injuries involving power saws and/or nail guns.

Speaking of dangerous construction sites, :), Noah has been hard at work in his "workshop" lately. He has been creating many one-of-a-kind pieces, most of the weapon variety. He has been very careful, and it's great to see him taking up projects just like his daddy.



Last weekend we took a weekend trip down to Chilton and celebrated the new "senior" status of this fine fellow:

Happy Birthday, Dad, on the 30th. Hey, is this considered your double golden birthday? In that case- Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday!

We had another fabulous weekend this week with a visit from these gorgeous young ladies:

"Aunt LuLu" just had a ball with them, and our own little princess (The Princess Without A Name) when we went out for tea at Nana's Cottage! We had such a fun afternoon!

The Dahl kids had a horseback riding adventure with their cousins, daddy and dear auntie- Here they are in action:


And tomorrow we are off to bring Noah to LLBC, the camp I am forever endeared to! He will be there from Monday until Thursday afternoon... I am so excited for him! We are all praying that he has a great week

Since we moved into our home four years ago there have been a multitude of home improvement projects- we definitely bought a fixer-upper. It's been fun, most of the time. Little by little we're making our home what we want it to be, with an ever present "to-do-around-the-house" list. Because Jake is a teacher, our summers are prime project time!

Today I am tackling the trim. Jake stripped, sanded and taped it off, and I'm the primer and painter. I remember before we moved in, as friends were helping us paint the living/dining room. They asked, "Should we tape off the trim before we paint the walls?" " No, no," we answered, "we're painting the trim." Had anyone added "...In four years" to that comment I would have clocked them, but alas, here we are. We're getting better- the only time I saw the trim up in our last house was when I came back to clean after we had all of our stuff moved out! I am doing the five remaining downstairs windows and a door frame. There will be much more to do, but I'll give you a photo update at the end of the day.

Bella and her new "face-framing" layers. 

Tumbling Locks and Small Lodged Objects

There was a time when I was content being a mom to just boys. When we were pregnant with our third, I was often asked, "Are you trying for a girl?" Actually, no, we were trying for a baby... Being a girl, I had gone through many catty, boy-crazy years and thought having boys was just fine.

I did daydream about it, though, and thought that if I did ever have a girl, I'd want her to have curly hair and dimples. Now these dreams are about as crazed as the "trying for a girl" thing... As though "trying" or "wanting" has anything to do with it. My gene pool was stacked against my desires as I have stick straight hair and my only dimples aren't cute and don't see the light of day.

(Enter God and His mercy) We DID have a girl, and low and behold she has both curly hair and a little "under-the-smile" dimple on one side- thanks to her Aunties Jamie and Marti. And d'you what? I LOVE having a little girl- almost every day!

Our little angel has been our "busy" child. (See the "Stuck in the Truck" post) How arrogant I once was, thinking children who wrote on walls or furniture, and generally destroyed things had terribly neglectful parents. I am so sorry! I was wrong! It's at least partially a personality thing (or we've really slid off the rocker!). We can be right there, almost upon her, and the "Ellie-imp" will come out and do a terribly naughty thing before we even see she's there! Or, our daughter will be in the sweetest mood, and BAM! She'll "paint" our quilt with a whole bottle of lotion(of course in the heaviest vanilla scent ever...)! Of course, she then realizes her sin, and "cleans it up for me" by schmeering it in until it's "gone."
ahhh... She IS a sweetie and we love her ohh so much, but because of her personality, I knew this day would come.

She did it. She was in the house with Doodle and she found a scissors and cut her hair. Noah and I were out, and my DH was in the garage with his latest building project. The younger two had been in and out, getting toys and going potty and the such, and during a trip in she got out a scissors and cut two big snips- one on each side of her face. I definitely thought I would cry, but I didn't. I think the fact that it's long enough to tuck behind her ears helps. It could be much worse. The sad thing? Now I know that what is left of her curls is temporary. What was "trimmed" has wave, but the Nellie Olson curls are gone...

That was yesterday. Today? She stuck a bead up her nose. Visible, but up there. Thankfully a short visit to our local clinic had it dislodged in short order. She was home in no time with a stash of suckers, stickers, books and crayons to boot.

So, God knew. He knew I didn't deserve it genepool-wise, but he gave me a girl with dimples and curls. He knew I'd need them to look at on days such as these. He knew the personality under the dimples and curls long before she was born, and He knew she'd have to be a cute one.

Our little cowpokes and their maiden in distress... 

A rafting we did go... More photos can be seen at www.snakeriverphotos.net; date 5/28/05; boatman, Steve; Departure from town, 10:30; Float company, Mad River. What a wild time it was!!! 

Awww... my precious boys. 

Bella, helping Papa in the yard at the end of their stay. 

Home again, home again, jiggity jig

Ahhhhh...
We're home.
We've been movin' and groovin' for the past few weeks, and we are now home and digging out.

I left you all hanging on our weekend to Jackson, WY... It was incredible!!! We had so much fun! The wedding was lovely, despite the rain, and the family and friends we met out there were fabulous! Jake and I had so much fun together- we danced, walked and laughed together... Not to mention our first (not last) trip down the Snake River whitewater rafting! (Photos to come tomorrow!) What fabulous memories! We are thrilled to have Cori in the family... And it's awesome to see Jonathan so happy.

While we were gone the kids spent time with Grandma and Papa K. They, too, had a great time. They visited a zoo, got huge ice cream treats, saw great grandparents, took bike rides and walks and just got to enjoy being with Grandma and Papa. I zoomed across the state to fetch them upon our return and got back home just in time to prepare for our garage sale...

A friend asked if I'd be interested in doing one, so we jumped into the "City-wide" weekend only to put in hours of work and get poured on. It wasn't a total loss, SHE did pretty well... I made enough for a tank of gas. (almost)

Jake had one last inservice day on Monday, then we jumped in the van and headed camping. We visited Governor Dodge State Park, a new one for us, and had beautiful weather! It was hot enough to enjoy the beach, and didn't rain until we were headed out the next morning. We visited "The House on the Rock" and got home late.

So that brings me to the present. We spent the whole day unpacking and washing and shoveling out of an extraordinarily messy home. I think the floor has been found in every room now- no small feat, I assure you! We've enjoyed our adventuring immensely, but are grateful to be home.

The happy bride and groom! 

Jake and I enjoyed a fabulous weekend in Jackson attending his brother, Jonathan's wedding to our wonderful new sister, Cori!